born for sport jaybird x4 wireless earbuds

Ever since I started running marathons, except for the first Beijing Long Distance Running Festival where I had a mentor to guide me, the remaining seven races were all solo efforts. Even though there were many fellow marathon runners along the way, due to different paces, it ultimately became a solo battle.

That's right, a marathon is a solo battle, a lonely battle. To avoid looking lonely during this process, many people choose to wear headphones. I am no exception.

However, when choosing headphones, the requirements for sports headphones are much higher for running. This time, I am very grateful to Codoon Sports for giving me the opportunity to review the Jaybird X4 wireless Bluetooth sports headphones. Through my personal experience, I will provide you with the most intuitive experience and unexpected surprises of the Jaybird X4.

1: Understanding the Jaybird Brand

Nowadays, people pay more attention to brands and reputation when buying anything. The running community is no different. Let's get to know the Jaybird brand. I have heard running friends recommend this brand, and it is an honor to review its products this time.

Jaybird is a native American running headphone brand under Logitech. This year, they officially signed Li Yifeng as the brand ambassador for the Asia-Pacific region. This is also Li Yifeng's first endorsement of a sports headphone brand. The Jaybird X4, which I am reviewing today, is a new model released in September this year. The product's appearance is more stylish, and its features are more diverse. Through the brand ambassador and product upgrades, it is clear that these headphones are aimed at a younger audience.

2: Unboxing

The first impression of the Jaybird X4 wireless Bluetooth sports headphones' packaging is simplicity, with a gray and white color scheme interspersed with a light yellow logo. The simplicity does not lack a sense of fashion. Upon closer inspection, five of the six sides of the box are covered in text, showing a lot of thoughtfulness.

The front of the box uses four languages: English, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese to indicate that these are wireless sports headphones. It also uses these four languages to highlight the upgrades of the X4: 8-hour battery life, sweat and water resistance, and an upgraded sports fit.

The back of the box, in addition to the three features mentioned on the front, also highlights the memory foam ear tips, excellent customizable sound quality, and support for music and calls. All these features are described in four languages.

The left side of the box uses the four languages mentioned above to state Jaybird's slogan: Designed for Sports, Born for Adventure. Below that is an image of the headphones.

The right side of the box emphasizes the headphones' customization and personalized sound effects, exploring athletes' playlists. The Jaybird app can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play for an enhanced experience.

The bottom of the box contains specific information about the headphones, as follows:

Product Information:

Brand: Jaybird

Product Name: Jaybird X4

Product Origin: Malaysia

Net Weight: Headphones 14.8g (excluding ear fins and ear tips), charging cable 5.9g

Connection Type: Wireless, Bluetooth version 4.1, connection range 10 meters

Wearing Style: Over-ear, in-ear

Packaging Contents: Headphones, ear tips, ear fins, USB charger, integrated cable management clip, collar clip, portable storage bag.

Function and Use: Integrated microphone, music headphones + call headphones

Compatible Devices: Apple phones, Android phones, iWatch, iPad, Windows, Blackberry, PC, Mac, and gaming devices, supports dual device connection

App Compatibility: iOS 9 and above, Android 6.0 and above

Sweat and Water Resistance: IPX7

Battery Life: Over 8 hours, quick charge for 10 minutes provides 1 hour of use

After looking at the outer packaging, we can roughly understand the highlights of these headphones without needing to open the manual. This is what I call thoughtful design. Now, let's take a look at what's inside the box.

The box is like a drawer; pulling it open from the top does not immediately reveal the headphones. The inner box is like a book, and you need to turn the first page to see the anticipated headphones. The first page of the 'book' still emphasizes the usage of the headphones, such as which button is the power switch, how to connect to the phone's Bluetooth, and some sound effect guides in the Jaybird app.

In the other side's slot are the headphones, different sizes of ear tips, ear fins, USB charger, integrated cable management clip, collar clip, portable storage bag, and the manual. It's a complete package.

3: Headphone Design

The headphone cable of this model is flat, making it very sturdy and easy to store. Unlike other long-cable headphones, which can become tangled in a bag, this design avoids that issue.

The controller, battery, and microphone are embedded on the right side. The inline control has three buttons: the middle button is for power on/off, play/pause, and answering/ending calls; the + and - buttons are for volume adjustment and track switching. It is quite convenient to use.

The adjustment port on the headphone cable is also very convenient. You can adjust it according to the usage situation, and if you want to fix it on your clothes, you can use the clip to do so.

4: How to Wear

For sports enthusiasts, the stability of the headphones is very important. No one wants to keep adjusting their headphones while running. The Jaybird X4 sports Bluetooth headphones fully consider this point. They can be worn in both over-ear and in-ear styles.

I run quite often, and I tried both wearing styles during my runs. I found the in-ear style to be more comfortable. Also, my ears are relatively small. The microphone is closer to the mouth, which does not interfere with making calls.

If you still don't know how to wear them after reading the manual, you can download the Jaybird app, which has detailed tutorials on how to connect the headphones.

5: Charging and Battery Life

These headphones use a USB interface for charging, with the charging port directly on the microphone, making it very convenient. In terms of battery life, this is also an upgrade of the Jaybird X4, offering 8 hours of playback time and 1 hour of use after a 10-minute charge.

I used the weekend to run 10 kilometers, which took about an hour, and I listened to about 15 songs. This used approximately 20% of the battery. Based on this estimate, a full charge should be sufficient for a full marathon. I look forward to further testing the battery life in future marathons.

6: Usage and Sound Quality

Turning on the middle button on the microphone, you will hear an English prompt in the headphones saying 'Please connect Bluetooth.' After turning on the phone's Bluetooth and connecting, you can customize your preferred sports sound effects in the Jaybird app.

The sound quality of these headphones, priced at over 800, exceeded my expectations. The bass effect is truly impressive. The customizable sports effects can be switched according to your needs. I chose the warm style, which is suitable for quiet, solitary listening. Additionally, the left and right channel adjustments are excellent, providing noise reduction for indoor sports. Making and receiving calls is also very convenient, with clear sound quality.

7: Water Resistance

For sports headphones, besides stability, battery life, and sound quality, we also pay attention to their water resistance. These headphones have an IPX7 rating, which can handle rain, mud, and outdoor adventures well. However, they are not suitable for swimming or showering, which is a bit disappointing. So, if you plan to swim with these headphones, think again.

Additionally, the charging clip is not waterproof, so avoid getting the charging equipment wet.

8: Summary

For running enthusiasts, the Jaybird X4 wireless Bluetooth headphones meet many runners' needs in terms of stability, battery life, and sound quality. The price of 899 is also relatively affordable. If you are a running enthusiast currently in need of headphones, I recommend trying this model. The excellent wearing experience will surely impress you. Besides its powerful functions, the stylish appearance makes it a good choice whether you are a working 'greasy uncle,' a student, or a high-spirited running enthusiast.